Larry Williams, Director
(or)
Tonja Wade nubiantonja@hotmail.com
Syracuse City School District
725 Harrison Street
Syracuse , New York 13210
Room 204B
Phone: 315/435-4655
Cell: 315/263-1171
E-mail: anathoth@hotmail.com

SCSD Mentoring Program
The Syracuse City School District Mentoring Program offers a unique blend of mentoring opportunities through established collaborations with a variety of agencies and the Syracuse University GEAR UP Program. The goal is to offer an adult mentor to every student in the SCSD beginning at the 6th grade. Mentors will work with students from across the district and from every middle school.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Syracuse City School District mentoring program is to foster meaningful, intentional adult relationships with students and to provide students with academic, social, emotional support, as well as the guidance needed that will positively impact and enrich their lives.

What is a Mentor ?
Mentors provide the sustained presence of a positive, caring adult role model; while they are neither the parental replacement nor responsible for solving all of a youth's problems, they are more than just an advisor.

The Role of a Mentor
The role of the mentor is to provide:

•  Intentional, meaningful relationships with students beginning at grade 6

•  Academic support

•  A liaison between home and school

•  Help for students to determine academic and life goals

•  Help for students to find pro-active ways at approaching life issues

•  Students with a glimpse of career choices through real life experiences

•  A confidant when they need an objective and neutral point of view

The Benefits for Students
Mentoring programs offer students friendship, guidance and a positive perspective on life over a sustained period of time; mentoring programs clearly show that someone cares.

•  Students receive many benefits from the mentoring partnership:

•  Improved attitude toward school

•  Improvement in school attendance

•  Improved relationships with adults and peers

•  Less likely to engage in drug and/or alcohol use

•  More likely to set goals and strive for higher education

•  Students in mentoring partnerships lasting more than 12 months and longer show an increase in self worth

Who are mentors and the students that are mentored?
There are no single characteristics that define the perfect mentor and student-mentee; they come with diverse personalities and needs.

Mentors are most likely to...

•  Be able to understand and empathize

•  Feel comfortable with who they are

•  See their student-mentee as an individual

•  Be giving and compassionate people.

Students-Mentees are most likely to...

•  Express a sincere desire to participate

•  Be a young person in need of positive care and guidance

•  Need support in dealing with the challenges associated with growing up.

To volunteer, receive additional information or enroll a student (the program is free)

Call 315/435-4655 or fill out the attached form

Mentor Application Form

Mentoring Program Collaborations

PARTNERS For Education & Business, Inc.
936 North Clinton Street
Syracuse , New York 13204
315/448-1012

 
Syracuse University GEAR UP
111 Waverly Avenue, Suite 230
Syracuse , New York 13244
315/443-1166
www.studentsupport.syr.edu/gearup

Center for Community Alternatives
115 East Jefferson Street, Suite 300
Syracuse , New York 13202
315/422-5638 Ext. 230
www.communityalternatives.org

The Jenna Foundation for Non-Violence
120 East Washington Street, Suite 200
Syracuse , New York 13202
315/422-0339
www.jennafoundation.org